The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.

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Threaded View

Geology vs. Higher Power - Your Opinion Welcome

I have viewed as maps as not only a map of locating yourself, but as a way of learning your growth. However, in my opinion, maps are another way for people with God-complexes to fulfill their ambitions.
Most of us do not have God-complexes and often use the phrase higher-power to describe your maps.

I think that I am one of a small few who makes his maps through geological processes as opposed to "higher power." Where mountains form, there is a converging fault zone; where volcanic islands pop through the waves of an ocean, either a volcanic hot spot or a subducting tectonic plate.

1) Who else within this guild constructs their maps using Earth geological processes?